The Treatment of Trauma, PTSD, Abuse, and Other Stressor-related Disorders

The news media has shined the light on problems of veterans with PTSD. This in turn has brought much needed attention to PTSD treatment; not just for veterans, but also for all kinds of trauma survivors.

In a related manner, the primary diagnostic manual used in the United States (DSM-5), included a new diagnostic category on trauma and stress in its 2013 edition. This change in diagnostic categories also fueled new interest in trauma and its treatment. Therefore, many readers may already know about some of the new and innovative therapies that are being used to heal the impact of trauma. However, as we will soon see, just because something is shiny and new, doesn't always mean it's better. Likewise, just because something is tried and true, doesn't mean it's the best.